When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv For Blog.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that as well at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to state– both the victories and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might in fact help grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero platform charges (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system normally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv For Blog
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody registered.
I wound up going full investigative setting– dabbling with segments, utilizing different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s in fact written a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your beautifully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s built-in revenue possibility, ordinary and simple Beehiiv For Blog.
And when I prepare to launch a costs membership? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without dangling awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an unusual insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by designers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn extra, and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your e-newsletter with real devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.